Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience (OASE)

The Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience is a non-regulatory, summer program designed to link top-level engineering, chemistry, sustainability and environmental sciences students with business and industry. Collaborations focus on projects to reduce energy use, emissions and wastes, benefiting the company bottom line and Oregon’s natural resources.

We received a pollution prevention grant from EPA that will help offset the cost of the 10-week summer intern. The Oregon Sea Grant and Oregon Dpt. of Environmental Quality will administer this voluntary program

How was the Project Started?

The project was conceived at DEQ with Oregon Sea Granst program to assist the small and medium businesses in the state to get over the hurdles of lack of staff time and expertise in evaluating environmental performance and developing recommendations for improvements.

When was the Project Started?

Project was kicked off 2017 with seven successful placements of qualified students at local businesses.

When was the Project Completed, or is it Ongoing?

Ongoing, currently evaluating project proposals from businesses and recruitment of students.

What are the Results to Date?

Seven placement last year at local businesses resulted in significant recommendations for improvements. Findngs vary depending on specific projects undertaken at the different businesses. Some feedback are listed below:

Last year’s Host Businesses fully endorse the OASE Intern program!

“Our intern experience was very helpful. Our intern was responsible and reliable, and helped focus our team on important improvements to our processes. The program administration process was efficient and effective, too.”

– Penny Machinski, West Linn Paper Company

“Hosting a P2 intern was immensely valuable for Craft Brew Alliance, resulting in tools that are helping us save resources, and projects that have been installed! The OASE program made it easy to bring value both to the business and to the intern’s experience.”

-Julia Person, Craft Brew Alliance

What are the Resources Needed, including Time, Cost, Etc.?

Funding provides by USEPA, grant management provided by Oregon Sea Grant, project management by DEQ, technical support and guidance to business and students provided by professors at PSU and subject matter experts at DEQ.

Other Comments

This project has seen strong enthusiasm from all parties – students, university, Oregon Sea Grant and DEQ.